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Art in the Margins #1
The Art of the Occult: A Visual Sourcebook for the Modern Mystic
A visual feast of eclectic artwork informed and inspired by spiritual beliefs, magical techniques, mythology and otherworldly experiences.
Mystical beliefs and practices have existed for millennia, but why do we still chase the esoteric? From the beginning of human creativity itself, image-makers have been drawn to these unknown spheres and have created curious artworks that transcend time and place – but what is it that attracts artists to these magical realms?
From theosophy and kabbalah , to the zodiac and alchemy ; spiritualism and ceremonial magic , to the elements and sacred geometry – The Art of the Occult introduces major occult themes and showcases the artists who have been influenced and led by them. Discover the symbolic and mythical images of the Pre-Raphaelites ; the automatic drawing of Hilma af Klint and Madge Gill ; Leonora Carrington 's surrealist interpretation of myth , alchemy and kabbalah ; and much more.
Featuring prominent, marginalised and little-known artists , The Art of the Occult crosses mystical spheres in a bid to inspire and delight . Divided into thematic chapters (The Cosmos, Higher Beings, Practitioners), the book acts as an entertaining introduction to the art of mysticism – with essays examining each practice and over 175 artworks to discover.
The art of the occult has always existed in the margins but inspired the masses, and this book will spark curiosity in all fans of magic, mysticism and the mysterious .
Mystical beliefs and practices have existed for millennia, but why do we still chase the esoteric? From the beginning of human creativity itself, image-makers have been drawn to these unknown spheres and have created curious artworks that transcend time and place – but what is it that attracts artists to these magical realms?
From theosophy and kabbalah , to the zodiac and alchemy ; spiritualism and ceremonial magic , to the elements and sacred geometry – The Art of the Occult introduces major occult themes and showcases the artists who have been influenced and led by them. Discover the symbolic and mythical images of the Pre-Raphaelites ; the automatic drawing of Hilma af Klint and Madge Gill ; Leonora Carrington 's surrealist interpretation of myth , alchemy and kabbalah ; and much more.
Featuring prominent, marginalised and little-known artists , The Art of the Occult crosses mystical spheres in a bid to inspire and delight . Divided into thematic chapters (The Cosmos, Higher Beings, Practitioners), the book acts as an entertaining introduction to the art of mysticism – with essays examining each practice and over 175 artworks to discover.
The art of the occult has always existed in the margins but inspired the masses, and this book will spark curiosity in all fans of magic, mysticism and the mysterious .
240 pages, Hardcover
Published October 13, 2020
169 people are currently reading
2943 people want to read
About the author
S. Elizabeth
4 books223 followersS. Elizabeth is a Florida-based writer specializing in art, the macabre, and the supernatural.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
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July 18, 2025
When a book has a Hilma af Klint artwork on the cover, you just know its going to be excellent. Living up to this book cover rule I just invented is The Art of the Occult compiled and edited by S. Elizabeth. A work of art in itself, this coffee table art book dazzles across an impressive range of artistic representations of occult symbolism and practices throughout human history.
Gina Litherland, Tea Leaf Reading, 2014
Familiar works from the past along with recent artists commingle in each chapter, divided into thematic topics with brief but fascinating essays on each before presenting the representational art with short blurbs about each piece. It’s a treasure trove of knowledge and artistic because for anyone with an interest in mysticism, witchcraft, divination and more and while those already versed on the subjects may find the information slight it is still a collection of art you’ll want to flip through again and again.
Francisco Goya, The Witches Sabbath, 1797 (left)
Remedios Varo, Witch Going to the Sabbath, 1957 (right)
Of the two art books centered on occult symbolism and art history, I think I might prefer Peter Forshaw’s Occult: Decoding the Visual Culture of Mysticism, Magic and Divination for its more interactive approach (and the big section on Leonora Carrington) though this one stands above in terms of wider overview and emphasis on occult history over art history (which the other spends more focus on). This is a really lovely book though and if you are considering getting it, I’d say just do it, you won’t regret it.
Sveta Dorosheva, The Alchemyst, 2013
‘Magic in its earliest form is often referred to as “the art”’, explains author and artist Alan Moore, ‘Art is, like magic, the science of manipulating symbols, words or images, to achieve changes in consciousness.’ In this way, the making of art is the making of magic. Which you should tell yourself every time you make art, the world wants your art (yes, you). This book really embodies that connection of art and magic, showing depictions of mysticism that are truly magical to behold. Lame pun but for real look at this:
Leonor Fini, Les Sorcières, 1959
‘Creativity is that marvellous capacity to grasp mutually distinct realities and draw a spark from their juxtaposition.’
—Max Ernst
Max Ernst, The Dark God, 1957
I really enjoyed the dive into the history of the occult here. It covers a pretty interesting range of subjects and has a lot of excellent artistic examples and photographs to bolster the learning.
Hermes Trismegistus holding the Hermetica
Order of the Golden Dawn
There is a lot of unpacking common symbolism, such as the Tree of Life, the sephiroths, and other symbols of the Kabbalah, alchemy, and the zodiac.
Hilma af Klint, The Tree of Knowledge, 1913
Alphonse Mucha, Zodiac, 1896
Mark Ryden, Allegory of the Four Elements, 2006
There is a lot to learn as well on the connection with art such as the chapter on Sacred Geometry,, such as the Golden Ratio, also known as phi (Φ), or the Fibonacci sequence. The book discusses how the Golden Mean is revered in almost every culture around the world and how the pentagram is constructed using the golden ratio.
Rafael Araujo, The Fibonacci Sequence, 2015
Have I mentioned the art is amazing? I will find any excuse to post Leonora Carrington paintings:
Leonora Carrington, The Garden of Paracelsus, 1957
I also really enjoyed the sections on various forms of divination. As a big user of tarot there wasn’t much new to learn but I always enjoy revisiting the stories about how it came to be and the artists behind them.
Pamela Coleman Smith, artist of the Rider Waite Tarot
Lady Freida Harris, artist of the Thoth Tarot with Aleister Crowley
‘A need to know and deep spiritual seeking are universal human traits, and that some form of divination has been used since the earliest times, to support this quest.’
—Paul O'Brien, Divination: Sacred Tools for Reading the Mind of God
Camillo Miola, The Oracle, 1880
So if you have any interest, definitely check this out it is worth your time. By the way, the art is amazing (in case you didn’t catch that):
Nicholas Roerich, Mother of the World, 1924
Gina Litherland, Tea Leaf Reading, 2014
Familiar works from the past along with recent artists commingle in each chapter, divided into thematic topics with brief but fascinating essays on each before presenting the representational art with short blurbs about each piece. It’s a treasure trove of knowledge and artistic because for anyone with an interest in mysticism, witchcraft, divination and more and while those already versed on the subjects may find the information slight it is still a collection of art you’ll want to flip through again and again.
Francisco Goya, The Witches Sabbath, 1797 (left)
Remedios Varo, Witch Going to the Sabbath, 1957 (right)
Of the two art books centered on occult symbolism and art history, I think I might prefer Peter Forshaw’s Occult: Decoding the Visual Culture of Mysticism, Magic and Divination for its more interactive approach (and the big section on Leonora Carrington) though this one stands above in terms of wider overview and emphasis on occult history over art history (which the other spends more focus on). This is a really lovely book though and if you are considering getting it, I’d say just do it, you won’t regret it.
Sveta Dorosheva, The Alchemyst, 2013
‘Magic in its earliest form is often referred to as “the art”’, explains author and artist Alan Moore, ‘Art is, like magic, the science of manipulating symbols, words or images, to achieve changes in consciousness.’ In this way, the making of art is the making of magic. Which you should tell yourself every time you make art, the world wants your art (yes, you). This book really embodies that connection of art and magic, showing depictions of mysticism that are truly magical to behold. Lame pun but for real look at this:
Leonor Fini, Les Sorcières, 1959
‘Creativity is that marvellous capacity to grasp mutually distinct realities and draw a spark from their juxtaposition.’
—Max Ernst
Max Ernst, The Dark God, 1957
I really enjoyed the dive into the history of the occult here. It covers a pretty interesting range of subjects and has a lot of excellent artistic examples and photographs to bolster the learning.
Hermes Trismegistus holding the Hermetica
Order of the Golden Dawn
There is a lot of unpacking common symbolism, such as the Tree of Life, the sephiroths, and other symbols of the Kabbalah, alchemy, and the zodiac.
Hilma af Klint, The Tree of Knowledge, 1913
Alphonse Mucha, Zodiac, 1896
Mark Ryden, Allegory of the Four Elements, 2006
There is a lot to learn as well on the connection with art such as the chapter on Sacred Geometry,, such as the Golden Ratio, also known as phi (Φ), or the Fibonacci sequence. The book discusses how the Golden Mean is revered in almost every culture around the world and how the pentagram is constructed using the golden ratio.
Rafael Araujo, The Fibonacci Sequence, 2015
Have I mentioned the art is amazing? I will find any excuse to post Leonora Carrington paintings:
Leonora Carrington, The Garden of Paracelsus, 1957
I also really enjoyed the sections on various forms of divination. As a big user of tarot there wasn’t much new to learn but I always enjoy revisiting the stories about how it came to be and the artists behind them.
Pamela Coleman Smith, artist of the Rider Waite Tarot
Lady Freida Harris, artist of the Thoth Tarot with Aleister Crowley
‘A need to know and deep spiritual seeking are universal human traits, and that some form of divination has been used since the earliest times, to support this quest.’
—Paul O'Brien, Divination: Sacred Tools for Reading the Mind of God
Camillo Miola, The Oracle, 1880
So if you have any interest, definitely check this out it is worth your time. By the way, the art is amazing (in case you didn’t catch that):
Nicholas Roerich, Mother of the World, 1924
October 30, 2020
“For those willing to look, a vital key to unlocking the cryptic mysteries of magical history and occult philosophy can be found in the many artistic depictions of the enigmatic entities who engage in the practice of mystical endeavors.....There is transformative magic present in both the creative artistic process in the participatory active observing an artistic creation. Both sides of the coin stem from the need to better understand the world around us, and in doing so to connect when is familiar and what we know to be true with glimpses from the world of the unknown,” writes S. Elizabeth in The Art of the Occult.
This is one of those books that brings me back to my childhood — long hours spent flung over my bedside in a flurry of books, up too late thumbing through books and the worlds contained within, as though I were looking through a peephole into history and possibility. Worlds of gods and faeries and secrets and under realms. I’d spend hours taking notes and notes of everything I wanted to — needed to! — learn more about. The kind of curiosity that makes you feel like you want to live forever — for how can we not know everything, investigate everything, explore everything this massive wild magical world has to offer?!
This book takes you on that same hungry journey, so thoughtfully curated, its offerings prompting us to explore the mysteries within & outside of ourselves through the art it presents — from astrology to witchcraft, and potions to divinations. I
It’s so beautiful and so magical and it’s teaching me so much. I am spending time with it nightly, falling into each caption and image — and desiring to know everything, every color, every story, all the secrets contained within.
What a gift!
This is one of those books that brings me back to my childhood — long hours spent flung over my bedside in a flurry of books, up too late thumbing through books and the worlds contained within, as though I were looking through a peephole into history and possibility. Worlds of gods and faeries and secrets and under realms. I’d spend hours taking notes and notes of everything I wanted to — needed to! — learn more about. The kind of curiosity that makes you feel like you want to live forever — for how can we not know everything, investigate everything, explore everything this massive wild magical world has to offer?!
This book takes you on that same hungry journey, so thoughtfully curated, its offerings prompting us to explore the mysteries within & outside of ourselves through the art it presents — from astrology to witchcraft, and potions to divinations. I
It’s so beautiful and so magical and it’s teaching me so much. I am spending time with it nightly, falling into each caption and image — and desiring to know everything, every color, every story, all the secrets contained within.
What a gift!
November 9, 2020
thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Art of the Occult! if you're someone who is even slightly interested in the interconnection of artistic and magical practices, this is an incredible book for you. the information is nuanced but approachable for anyone. the art depicted inside ranges from more well-known artists to some that i'd never encountered before. i think the discussions about different areas of the occult that tie to artistic movements are fascinating and well researched. this is a super interesting and inspiring book that i'll be referencing for my own work in the future!
November 23, 2020
Well, this has been an interesting journey!
I approached this book with curiosity, not knowing exactly what I would find inside. This is a collection of art work full on occult or inspired by different facets of the occult world and thought. This is by no means an dictionary or a glossary but a curation of visual art pieces who represent various aspects of the occult thought, from ancient pages to contemporary painting.
It's a great gift for people interested in this subject, it's a great conversation and research starter. I particularly liked the last artwork chosen, such a perfect mix of modern life and ancient traditions we bring into our every day life in different degrees. Just what this book seems to convey.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I approached this book with curiosity, not knowing exactly what I would find inside. This is a collection of art work full on occult or inspired by different facets of the occult world and thought. This is by no means an dictionary or a glossary but a curation of visual art pieces who represent various aspects of the occult thought, from ancient pages to contemporary painting.
It's a great gift for people interested in this subject, it's a great conversation and research starter. I particularly liked the last artwork chosen, such a perfect mix of modern life and ancient traditions we bring into our every day life in different degrees. Just what this book seems to convey.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 2, 2025
Fake, gay, and jewish. Literally. The section on kabalistic art was particularly bad. The faustian spirit drove me to read this out of curiosity, and it was a profound waste of time. The only interesting works in here were the old ones (middle ages through 19th century) that depicited the subject matter with the appropriate tone of warning and horror. The 20th century modern works were completely incoherent and the contemporary ones looked like complete shit (amateur photoshop energy) that tried to make lonely cat women giving each other "magic" cards look like some interesting and spiritually sophisticated activity. And don't forget randomly adding a bunch of alchemical and zodiac symbols everywhere to your painting makes it immediately so enlightened! At least the pagans and witches depicted in the older works were serious enough to actually commit some sacrifices and atrocities instead of the modern larp that's in the new ones.
December 31, 2020
Gorgeous and lush book showcasing art curated by different areas of mysticism. This was the closest thing to going to a gallery show. Very well written
October 26, 2020
An amazing collection of artwork, beautifully depicted. With a wealth of knowledge surrounding each piece of art. A must-have for any art lover, and lover of the mystical. A truly unique book!
September 26, 2021
Fantastic collection or art.
March 13, 2021
I really enjoyed going through the artworks listed in this book. I discovered quite a few new names that I can now look into on my own. I also thought that the structure of the book was well done.
Where I felt that the book was lacking was in the information given. Most of the chapters had a short introduction, and I felt that the images themselves were usually accompanied by little more than a brief biography. As another reviewer has said, I would have liked a little more detail on the artists, the work in particular, and their relation to the occult.
Where I felt that the book was lacking was in the information given. Most of the chapters had a short introduction, and I felt that the images themselves were usually accompanied by little more than a brief biography. As another reviewer has said, I would have liked a little more detail on the artists, the work in particular, and their relation to the occult.
November 24, 2020
The Art of the Occult: A Visual Sourcebook for the Modern Mystic by S. Elizabeth is a visually stunning and mentally thought-provoking work.
I mainly came to this book because of an interest in the art and how much of it makes me think and feel. I was not disappointed in this, and I was pleasantly surprised by the very interesting text in each chapter. I think a sentence in the Introduction sums it up nicely: Art-making, then, is magic-making.
Good art, and especially good art with occult themes and/or symbolism, leads the viewer to ponder the nuances of life, the things that we know are but we can't explain why they are. Whether it is something as simple as love or as complex as the meaning of our existence, art offers us an avenue into understanding. Not that we will understand, not fully, but we have a way into the conversation. The art represented here does this very well. From the many well known artists and works to the lesser known, we are presented with multiple ways to think about what we know, what we don't know, and what we know we don't know.
I just finished reading the theosophical classic Thought-Forms (new edition from Dover Publications that includes all of the wonderful illustrations) so was particularly interested in that chapter, which includes an image from Thought-Forms. I love when my reading interacts like that.
I would recommend this to anyone interested in the occult or mysticism as well as art lovers. Take each image and sit with it for a while, see if it speaks to you.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
I mainly came to this book because of an interest in the art and how much of it makes me think and feel. I was not disappointed in this, and I was pleasantly surprised by the very interesting text in each chapter. I think a sentence in the Introduction sums it up nicely: Art-making, then, is magic-making.
Good art, and especially good art with occult themes and/or symbolism, leads the viewer to ponder the nuances of life, the things that we know are but we can't explain why they are. Whether it is something as simple as love or as complex as the meaning of our existence, art offers us an avenue into understanding. Not that we will understand, not fully, but we have a way into the conversation. The art represented here does this very well. From the many well known artists and works to the lesser known, we are presented with multiple ways to think about what we know, what we don't know, and what we know we don't know.
I just finished reading the theosophical classic Thought-Forms (new edition from Dover Publications that includes all of the wonderful illustrations) so was particularly interested in that chapter, which includes an image from Thought-Forms. I love when my reading interacts like that.
I would recommend this to anyone interested in the occult or mysticism as well as art lovers. Take each image and sit with it for a while, see if it speaks to you.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
July 31, 2022
Gorgeously assembled and intriguing, this overview of occult art drifts around various eras and artists to create an inspiring magical experience. Some of the written passages by S. Elizabeth feature distracting alliteration and whimsy, but for the most part the book is well-researched, full of wonder and mystery. Put it on your coffee table, and it’s sure to start some interesting conversations when friends and family come over.
January 31, 2021
This is such an incredibly fantastic book. Sarah gives you the perfect introduction to the relation of art and science and skillfully categorizes each route both artists and scientists had taken. Let Sarah guide you on this historically artful journey because it will surely encourage you to jump into every rabbit hole and find more connections for yourself.
October 29, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed the sections on Theosophical, Spiritualist and Hermetic arts. Lots of artists to continue researching <<<3
October 30, 2020
My thanks to Quarto Publishing Group - White Lion for a temporary digital edition via NetGalley of ‘The Art of the Occult: A Visual Sourcebook for the Modern Mystic’ by S. Elizabeth in exchange for an honest review. I have since ordered its hardback edition.
I felt that S. Elizabeth brought together a very exciting collection. It is a lavish book containing reproductions of artworks representing a variety of esoteric and occult subjects.
Accompanying the art S. Elizabeth has written an informative Introduction and twelve thematic chapters grouped under three categories: The Cosmos, Higher Beings, and Practitioners.
I was impressed with the range of artists included. I was already familiar with many of these including classic artists such as Goya and Dürer, the Pre-Raphaelites, modern abstract artists such as Mondrian and Kandinsky, and many Surrealists. However, quite a few of the more recent artists were unknown to me and I found their work inspiring.
It’s a book that is likely to appeal to art lovers as well as those interested in the occult. S. Elizabeth also includes suggestions for further reading, an index and of course picture credits.
Overall, a cornucopia of occult images and ideas. It’s a book that I am delighted to add to my library.
I felt that S. Elizabeth brought together a very exciting collection. It is a lavish book containing reproductions of artworks representing a variety of esoteric and occult subjects.
Accompanying the art S. Elizabeth has written an informative Introduction and twelve thematic chapters grouped under three categories: The Cosmos, Higher Beings, and Practitioners.
I was impressed with the range of artists included. I was already familiar with many of these including classic artists such as Goya and Dürer, the Pre-Raphaelites, modern abstract artists such as Mondrian and Kandinsky, and many Surrealists. However, quite a few of the more recent artists were unknown to me and I found their work inspiring.
It’s a book that is likely to appeal to art lovers as well as those interested in the occult. S. Elizabeth also includes suggestions for further reading, an index and of course picture credits.
Overall, a cornucopia of occult images and ideas. It’s a book that I am delighted to add to my library.
January 6, 2021
Those who know me, will not be surprised that I was intrigued by this book. Not only do I have a fondness for a good Coffee Table Book and for art, I have a major love for anything occult. Give me everything about the alchemists, show me artistic interpretations of the elements, I want to see all of it. Thankfully S. Elizabeth was happy to do so. Thanks to White Lion Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I am a fan of magic, mysticism and the mysterious, so I have always been looking for books about all three. As a kid I did so by reading fairytales and folklore, avidly climbing trees and looking for fairy circles in the forest. As I got older I began digging in a different way. Sure, the Harry Potter books helped keep the flame alive, but I was quickly using the ideas from those books to look beyond. I was fascinated to find that basilisks had been around for ages and that some of the most renowned scientists and philosophers had also been alchemists. Nicholas Flamel who? For me, visual representations of the occult have always had a lot of power and visualization is a big part of most modern-day magical practices. S. Elizabeth states in the Introduction that 'Art-making, then, is magic-making' and once you've read The Art of the Occult you couldn't agree more.
The word to describe The Art of the Occult is lavish. It is a beautiful book, filled with stunning images and objects spanning centuries. S. Elizabeth curates an excellent collection under the headings of thematic chapters, focusing on 'The Cosmos', 'Practitioners' and everything in between. Each chapter is introduced by S. Elizabeth in clear and knowledgeable writing. This way, once you're looking at the images, you have a background knowledge to them and are able to appreciate them more. Many of the older artists will be familiar to most readers, but S. Elizabeth also includes many contemporary artists that were new to me. It was a joy to discover their work and I often found myself pondering over a painting, looking at the details and imagining the person who made it. I spent some glorious evenings this way and will definitely revisit The Art of the Occult in the future.
As mentioned above, S. Elizabeth wrote an introduction for each chapter. Initially I found myself first looking at the images and then reading it, but quickly I began really reading and considering the introductions. They are very well written and show a lot of knowledge. They truly enhanced the experience of viewing the art, so definitely don't skip them, even you find yourself hungry to see the art. The Art of the Occult is not a reference work or a glossary. It is a collection that is meant to inspire interest. The art works collected are exemplars of their topic, showing the wide range of art that has been inspired by the occult. If anything, S. Elizabeth's book will inspire a desire to dig deeper yourself, find works that speak to your own interests or ideas of the occult. The Art of the Occult is a great book to read, but also a great book to occasionally peak at to re-view a certain picture or re-read a sentence. I'm definitely on the lookout for a physical copy to display with pride.
The Art of the Occult does exactly what it says it will do. S. Elizabeth guides the reader through various themes and time periods with ease, informing and entertaining along the way. I would recommend this to any lover of art or the Occult.
I am a fan of magic, mysticism and the mysterious, so I have always been looking for books about all three. As a kid I did so by reading fairytales and folklore, avidly climbing trees and looking for fairy circles in the forest. As I got older I began digging in a different way. Sure, the Harry Potter books helped keep the flame alive, but I was quickly using the ideas from those books to look beyond. I was fascinated to find that basilisks had been around for ages and that some of the most renowned scientists and philosophers had also been alchemists. Nicholas Flamel who? For me, visual representations of the occult have always had a lot of power and visualization is a big part of most modern-day magical practices. S. Elizabeth states in the Introduction that 'Art-making, then, is magic-making' and once you've read The Art of the Occult you couldn't agree more.
The word to describe The Art of the Occult is lavish. It is a beautiful book, filled with stunning images and objects spanning centuries. S. Elizabeth curates an excellent collection under the headings of thematic chapters, focusing on 'The Cosmos', 'Practitioners' and everything in between. Each chapter is introduced by S. Elizabeth in clear and knowledgeable writing. This way, once you're looking at the images, you have a background knowledge to them and are able to appreciate them more. Many of the older artists will be familiar to most readers, but S. Elizabeth also includes many contemporary artists that were new to me. It was a joy to discover their work and I often found myself pondering over a painting, looking at the details and imagining the person who made it. I spent some glorious evenings this way and will definitely revisit The Art of the Occult in the future.
As mentioned above, S. Elizabeth wrote an introduction for each chapter. Initially I found myself first looking at the images and then reading it, but quickly I began really reading and considering the introductions. They are very well written and show a lot of knowledge. They truly enhanced the experience of viewing the art, so definitely don't skip them, even you find yourself hungry to see the art. The Art of the Occult is not a reference work or a glossary. It is a collection that is meant to inspire interest. The art works collected are exemplars of their topic, showing the wide range of art that has been inspired by the occult. If anything, S. Elizabeth's book will inspire a desire to dig deeper yourself, find works that speak to your own interests or ideas of the occult. The Art of the Occult is a great book to read, but also a great book to occasionally peak at to re-view a certain picture or re-read a sentence. I'm definitely on the lookout for a physical copy to display with pride.
The Art of the Occult does exactly what it says it will do. S. Elizabeth guides the reader through various themes and time periods with ease, informing and entertaining along the way. I would recommend this to any lover of art or the Occult.
November 6, 2020
Oh where to start with this lovely gem of a book. I've been following the author's blog, unquietthings.com, for a number of years and I have been in awe of her writing style and curatorial skills. The artists, music, books, and movies, she writes about have expanded my own interests and this book does the exact same thing.
With her informative chapter introductions and art notes, S. Elizabeth gives great context about the history or the art pieces and why she chose to feature them. There were a number of artworks that took my breath away. There is a fantastic range of images from a variety of cultures, time periods, mediums, and faiths that will entice a reader who is interested in the occult as a visual medium or as a spiritual/religious practice.
With her informative chapter introductions and art notes, S. Elizabeth gives great context about the history or the art pieces and why she chose to feature them. There were a number of artworks that took my breath away. There is a fantastic range of images from a variety of cultures, time periods, mediums, and faiths that will entice a reader who is interested in the occult as a visual medium or as a spiritual/religious practice.
January 20, 2021
This review originally appeared on The Magical Buffet's website on 01/20/2021.
Since the beginning of time art has been used to convey everything from simple human emotion to historic events. With that in mind, it should surprise no one that art has been a medium to illustrate magical practices for just as long. Anyone interested in witchcraft and/or the occult is sure to have seen the iconic witch-centric art of John William Waterhouse or classic alchemical illustrations.
In walks “The Art of the Occult” by S. Elizabeth, a wonderful book for art and magic lovers. By no means a complete overview of all art influenced by the occult, “The Art of the Occult” has over 175 full color reproductions of art from the 15th century and earlier right up to modern times. Each work is accompanied with insightful commentary.
Each individual finds different art appeals to them, just the way each person finds a specific magical style that suits them. I guarantee no matter who you are, you will find something in this book for you.
Since the beginning of time art has been used to convey everything from simple human emotion to historic events. With that in mind, it should surprise no one that art has been a medium to illustrate magical practices for just as long. Anyone interested in witchcraft and/or the occult is sure to have seen the iconic witch-centric art of John William Waterhouse or classic alchemical illustrations.
In walks “The Art of the Occult” by S. Elizabeth, a wonderful book for art and magic lovers. By no means a complete overview of all art influenced by the occult, “The Art of the Occult” has over 175 full color reproductions of art from the 15th century and earlier right up to modern times. Each work is accompanied with insightful commentary.
Each individual finds different art appeals to them, just the way each person finds a specific magical style that suits them. I guarantee no matter who you are, you will find something in this book for you.
March 21, 2022
This is exactly the sort of utterly beautiful and bewitching book that would've lit my mind on fire as a kid and sent me off to the library, my book full of scraps of paper marking all the occult traditions, practices, and artists I absolutely had to look up. Which is not to say it's any less inspiring to me now, but that I happily envy those who find this engrossing volume at a formative age. Clearly organized by occult themes, traditions, and practitioners, both the book as a whole and each individual section are vividly and thoughtfully introduced by S. Elizabeth, our insightful and lyrical author. And each arresting page is a potential springboard for one's own artistic creativity or to go learn more about these fascinating artists and the varied aspects of the occult that inspired them.
January 20, 2021
A very interesting and informative book that acts as an introduction into mysticism and the occult, and is filled with fascinating, beautiful artworks. A number of aspects of occultism are covered- kabbalah, the zodiac, sacred geometry, and much more- and the information is engaging, never dry and boring. A lovely book!
#TheArtoftheOccult #NetGalley
#TheArtoftheOccult #NetGalley
June 25, 2021
A lusciously imaged collection of modern and contemporary artists, representing a fascinating range of styles and approaches to occult imagery. As an artist exploring this topic in my own work, I found a good bit of inspiration and a few ideas.
August 2, 2024
Generous and welcoming to agnostics, pagans, and monotheists alike; gorgeous prints from medieval mysticism to cybergnostic vaporwave; snippets of history tracing occultism from Egypt to England; the perfect source book. ✨🌙🌸🐍🧧🃏🧿
January 17, 2021
Disclaimer: I received this book for free in exchange of my honest opinion.
I enjoyed reading this book because I am a little bit fascinated by the occult and the magnifying mystery of it, and I am, of course, interested in art and art history in general (seeing how I went to Uni for that). This book combines the two and looks for connections.
I liked the presentation, but it left me wanting more in depth details regarding some artists and their relationships with the art of the occult. How did they start, how it shows in their art and so on. But overall, the book does a great job highlighting the connection between the occult and some art works.
I enjoyed reading this book because I am a little bit fascinated by the occult and the magnifying mystery of it, and I am, of course, interested in art and art history in general (seeing how I went to Uni for that). This book combines the two and looks for connections.
I liked the presentation, but it left me wanting more in depth details regarding some artists and their relationships with the art of the occult. How did they start, how it shows in their art and so on. But overall, the book does a great job highlighting the connection between the occult and some art works.
April 11, 2021
I've been slowly working my way through this gorgeous book over the last few months, and I'm sad that the journey is over! The art and commentary within is thought-provoking, and has directed me towards many new artworks, books, spiritual/philosophical movements, and artists I haven't heard of before.
My enjoyment of the book is only increased by my love of the author's writing as Ghoul Next Door on Instagram and Haute Macabre, not to mention her amazing perfume reviews on YouTube and TikTok. I love her work and would buy anything she produces!
My enjoyment of the book is only increased by my love of the author's writing as Ghoul Next Door on Instagram and Haute Macabre, not to mention her amazing perfume reviews on YouTube and TikTok. I love her work and would buy anything she produces!
June 27, 2022
A lovely coffee table tome for a broad review of esoteric art, and a reminder I should really read Leonora Carringtons prose at some point.
Some odd exclusions however. Ryden but no Anger or Colquhoun?
Some odd exclusions however. Ryden but no Anger or Colquhoun?
May 16, 2022
Inspiring, and beautifully written too.
September 28, 2024
Riddled with typos and far too western-centric, but I do love much of the art
March 18, 2021
Absolutely gorgeous... I find myself paging through it almost every time I pass it.
August 3, 2021
Nice enough introduction to art with occult or esoteric themes, geared towards a non-academic readership. Of course, one would want to have an oversized hardcover, but the editor is hardly at fault for that. The chapter-division is ok, but still somewhat arbitrary. The reader will find nonetheless a plethora of beautiful images from different times, and of different styles. However, as artists I missed the work of David Chaim Smith, Denis Forkas Kostromitin and Jose Alegria Sabogal, maybe David Herrerias, too.
June 2, 2021
Liked this a lot! Just wished some of the images were larger and there was a bit more text for each work
September 21, 2021
This is probably one of the most visually stunning & beautiful books I've read. It was a page to page pleasure to read & to view the magnificent magical art of many artists who created mystical works. If you like art & history this is a wonderful resource.
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